Tachiyakutsutsu Bishamonndō

Tachiyakutsutsu Bishamonndō is a mystical spiritual place built into sheer cliffs in Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture. It is said to have been founded when Sakanoue no Tamuramaro enshrined Bishamonten in commemoration of his defeat of Akuro-ō during his campaign against the Emishi. The stage-constructed building, built within the massive rock cavern known as "Tatsu Valley Cave," has a striking appearance as if floating in mid-air. Its architecture recalls the Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto and speaks to the profound depth of Hiraizumi culture. The view from the cliff is spectacular, and the shrine is known for its benefits of military fortune and victory in contests.